Bottle-cap-making machine



C. E. McMANUS. BOTTLE CAP MAKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR-15,1916.

Patented Jan. 10,1922

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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C. E. II/IcII/IANUS.

BOTTLE CAP MAKING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED APR. 15.1916.

1,402,7 Patnted Jan.10,1922.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

byglwc 7w Atiy- Inventr;

C. E. McIVlANUS.

BOTTLE CAP MAKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR- 15, 1916- I Patented Jan. 10, 1922.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

mmmwl a I veni foz C. E. MCMANUS.

some CAP MAKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. I5, 1916 I 1,402,780, B Ltented Jan. 10, 1922.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

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ttest: Inventor.- M3 gewtfi W CHARLES E. MGMANUS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

BOTTLE-CAP-MAKING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented J an. 10, 1922.

Application filed April 15, 1916.' Serial No. 91,278.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES E. MoMANUs, a citizen of the United States, residing at the borough of Manhattan, in the city,

county, and State of New York, have in- 1O ing drawings, which form a part thereof 6 0 the requiredbor ld. between ,the' disk ,1

7 My invention relates to bottle cap making machines and more articularly to a machine adapted to app y a protecting disk to the resilient disk for a cap.

It is desirable in producing bottle caps for most uses, to provide the resilient disk formed of cork or other material, with a non-absorbent, gas impervious protecting" facing disk so that when a cap is applied to a bottle, this facing extending across the neck of the bottle, will rotect the resilient disk from the action of t e liquid and gases within the .bottle and at the same time prevent the contamination of the contents of the bottle by contact with the material of said resilient disk, or the formation of gas vents through the disintegration thereof. This protecting facing also prevents particles of the material of the resilient disk falling within the bottle.

My invention contemplates a machine for applying protecting facing disks to the re silient disks used in bottle caps, the machine.

being so constructed as to adapt it to the rapid'and automatic application of the facing disks to the resilient disks, in a manner to secure asufficiently tightbond between the two to ensure that permanency in the relation of parts necessary toa. satisfactory sealingof a bottleby the application of the cap thereto. M r 3 In a machine madein accordance with my invention, it is necessarylto combinefinthe. a m i flu may be applied to that area of the surface of the resilient disk to which'the facing dlsk is to be applied; 'means forpressingthe said facing disk into the necessary intimate B 1: 7

structure, means whereb gagement with the resilientfdiskiltdgsecure and said res ie t d k, sh fe din megs to; Fe! r 1 te the applicat on 10f 'the i l idfikt i ywhi h thelfac ne' di k r fi h fproper/ relation to the 1p es ingnieehanisirt;

and the resilient disk, and feeding means by which the succeeding resilient disks are brought rapidly into that position, in which the facing disksare appliedthereto.

T have found it desirable to limit the application of the damping fluid to an area of the resilient disk, substantially coinciding with the area of the facing disk to prevent discoloration of the resilient disk by the said damping material particularly when the protecting facing disk is of a diameter less than that of the resilient disk. Preferably in caps of this character a facing disk of less diameter than the cork or other disk, is used, since it is desirable to have the neck of the bottle sealed directly against the cork disk or other cushion, to avoid possibility of the formation of gas ducts as a result of a buckling or wrinkling of the material of the protective facing disk. In order to satisfactorily apply this small facing disk to the resilient disk of a bottle cap, I have found it necessary to so construct the machine as to secure substantial exactitude in the centering of the protecting disk with relation to the cork or other resilient disk, and to provide means whereby the facing disk will be applied upon the Withdrawal of the presser rod, or -subsequently thereto, before the adhesive has had an opportunity to properly set. To secure the desired rapid feeding of the pro tecting disks, I prefer to out these disks from a continuous strip or web of previously gummed material, each disk being out from this strip immediately'preceding its application to the resilient disk, The presser mechanism is so constructed as to successively cut a disk from said strip or web, and apply the disk so out to the r'esilentdisk of a bottle cap by a continuous movement of the presser rod while affording a suflicient dwell, SHbSQ'.

quentto the initial application of the disk to v the resilient disk, to ensurea sufficiently tight, adhes on of the facing .disk :to the resilient disk. to permit withdrawalof. the] Pr s r" rod nd h eq n f ed g movement of theresilientdisk. j, I. r a

P r lin l eai f r. e e i g a; bot le cap w th lre a on to h tpre ereb P io as to ensure substantial accuracy the centering of the facing disk upon the ,resilient disk of the cap. I also provide in the machine shown means for holding' the severed disk firmly against the presser rod until it has been applied to the resilient disk for the purpose of ensuring a substantially parallel relation between the cut dis-k, the operative face of the presser bar and the face of the resilient disk to which the disk is to be applied. I also provide in the machine shown, means whereby the feeding mechanism for the paper strip or web will be automatically made inoperative in the event that a resilient disk is not fed in a timely manner with relation to the presser mechanism.

I also pro-vide in the machine, means whereby after the resilient disk with the protecting facing applied thereto, leaves the presser rod, it will be maintained under pressure for a suflicient interval to ensure the requisite setting of the binding agent while the facing disk is held firmly upon the resilient disk. I

The invention consists in the novel features of construction and combination of parts hereinafter set forth and described and more particularly pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

Referring to the drawings Fig. 1 is a plan view of a machine embodyin my invention;

*ig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the machine;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the presser and disk cutting mechanisms;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section through the damping mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the strip feeding, presser and disk cutting mechanisms, and Fig. 6 is a detailed view of the presser bar mechanism, and appurtenant parts.

Like letters refer to like parts throughout the several views.

In the accompanying drawings, I have illustrated my invention in connection with. a machine wherein the resilient disk is assembled'with the metal cap prior to the application of the protecting facing diskthereto, although the essential features of my invention ma be utilized with equal facility to the application of said protecting facing to the resilient disk prior to its assembly with the metal cap. In the following description, I will refer more particularly to the specific embodiment of my invention shown in the drawing, it being understood, however, that this" particular mechanism may be modified in those respects necessary to ensure the feeding of a cork or other resilient disk alone, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

In the form of the invention illustrated in the drawings, I have shown at 10 a channeled track or run-way along which the previously assembled caps are intermittently fed in any desired manner, as by means of an ordinary tongue bar 11 receiving a four way movement. from any desired source of power. The means for imparting this four way movement to the tongue bar 11 comprises the disc 11 driven from the shaft 15 by means of the intermeshing gears 11 and 11, and an arm 11 carried by said 'bar 11, and pivotally mounted eccentrically of the disc 11., all as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1 of the drawings. This construction is old and Well known in this art and any other desired means of imparting the desired movement to the tongue bar 11 may be used. A suitable mechanism delivers the caps to which the facing is to be applied, to the track or runway 10, this delivery mechanism. in the accompanying drawings consisting of a rotating disk 12 upon which the caps are successively delivered from a runway 13 leading from a storage hopper not shown. The rotary movement of the disk 12 will hold the caps against its peripheral rim 14 and cause a circular movement of the caps so as to ensure the timely feeding thereof to the track or runway 10 and within the operative field of the tongue bar 11. Extending longi' tudinally of the machine, is a power shaft 15 by means of which movement is imparted to the various mechanisms in the machine, thus synchronizing the movement of such mechanisms.

Arranged in operative relation to the said track or runway 10 and the feeding mechanism 11, are a damping mechanism adapted to apply a damping medium adapted to react upon the gum upon the protecting facing disk, and a presser mechanism adapted to force such a disk to place and hold it until the binding material has been sufliciently set to permit the further treatment of the article. These mechanisms are arranged successively and their operations are so timed as to 'be eflective during that interval when the feeding mechanism 11 is inoperative in relation to the caps, or when the cork or other disks are treated before their application to the metal caps, to the disks alone. In the form of the invention shown, I associate with the presser mechanism a strip or web feeding mechanism and a cutting mechanism, the presser bar of said presser mechanism serving as a punch in cutting disks from said web.

The damping mechanism above referred to in the form of the invention shown comprises a tank 16 having a delivery nozzle 17, the discharge end of which is provided with a distributingpad 18 having the two-fold function of retarding the flow of the damping medium and applying the same over a restricted area in a film sufiiciently thin to avoid excess moisture upon the cork or other v The said re resilient disk. This pad ofi'ers sufficient resistance to the flowof the damping medium and is of sufiicient bulk, to ensure the distribution of the damping medium mainly by capillary attraction. To ensure reliability in the feeding of the damping medium as well as to define the maximum pressure of the pad 18 upon the cork, or other disk, the nozzle 17 is made movable in relation to the tank 16, and is subjected to a thrust toward the. track or runway 10 from a coiled spring 19 seated about a reduced discharge nozzle 20 upon the tank 16 and acting against a cuplike head 21 carried by the nozzle 17. This head 21 is slidably mounted Within an annular ring 22 carried by the tank 16, thus forming a substantially water-tight joint about the top of the said head. By this construction the ordinary feeding of the damping fluid or medium will be through capillary attract-ion but upon the reciprocation of the nozzle 17 subsequent to its the cork or other disk, there will be a forced feed due to the conditions bet-ween the cup 21 and the bottom of the tank 16. This forced feed will have the effect of causing a slightly greater quantity of the damping fluld to be delivered to the disk directly below the outlet of the nozzle 17 than about the edge thereof and will also have the eflect of ensuring the constant presence of sufficient damping medium in thepad 18 topermit the operation of the machine at the desired speed.

In the form of the invention shown in the drawings, the tank 16 and all of its appurtenances are mounted upon a reciprocatory slide 23 mounted in suitable ways upon the frame of the machine and actuated by means of the connecting rod 24, the eccentric 25 and the strap 26. To avoid possibility of the displacement of the cork or other disk or of the metal cap carrying the same upon the withdrawal of the pad 18, I provide in the form of the invention shown, a guard late 27 having an opening 27 therethroug above the track or runway 10 through which openmgthe pad-18 passes.

eyond the tank 16 and alined longitudinally of the track or runway 10 with the pad 18 is a reciprocatory presser rod 28 adapted to force the facing disk into engagement withthat portion of the resilient disk of a bottle cap gwhich fhas been previously 1 means of said damping pad,

moistened b facing "disk; The; rod 28 is carried by 1 and reciproeates wi'th,a,slide-29'mountedinsuib 111* the form contact with is spaced from the damping, i p-ad'18 sufiiciently'to 'pe'rmi t thef'coiiditioning,

of "the dampenedflportion of the surface "of" the resilient: disk so; as 'to'recjeivethef saidj mica-sheet; the

facin disks are cut from a gummed strip or web just prior to the application of said disk to the cork or other resilient disk, of the cap. To permit this operation, I mount above the track or runway 10, a female part 33 of a cutting die, a tubular guide 34 being mounted upon said die part and spaced away therefrom, as shown, sufliciently to form a slot through which the gummed strip or web passes. The presser rod or bar 28 is slidably mounted in said guide 34, the bore of said guide being alined with the die opening in a manner to secure the desired shearing effect upon the strip or web with the depression of said presser bar. The lower end of thebar 28 is faced off so as to secure the desired sharpness of edge.

Extending laterally of the machine adjacent the parts 33 and 34 and alined with the top of the die part 33 is a track 35 in which is slidably mounted a carriage 36 carrying a spring pressed gripper member 37 by means of which the strip or web may be intermittently fed in relation to the disk applying mechanism, the strip A being sup-ported upon a suitable reel 38. The track 35 is provided with suitably flared-plates 39 to guide the web in relation to the gripper mechanism. I also provide a check spring 40 for preventing a return movement of the strip or web with the said gripper mechanism. The recip-rocatory gripper 37 is actuated by means of a lever 41 actuated from an eccentric 42 and strap 43 carried by the shaft 15.

To prevent the feeding of the strip or web, except when a cork or other resilient disk is in a position to have a facing disk applied thereto, I mount upon the track 35 a lever 45 one end of which is provided with a weight 46 having a finger 47 adapted to bear upon the edge of the cap, or of the resilient disk. as the case may be. Pivotally mounted upon the tracks 35 adjacent the carriage 36 is an elongated block 48 having a weighted extension 49 adapted to be engaged by the end of said lever 45. The said block 48 co-operates with a bearing pin 50 upon the gripper member 37, so that when the weight 46 is raised by the engagementof the finger 47 thereon with a cap or resilient disk, the block 48 will, drop away from the pin so as to permit the gripper 37 Ito operatively engage the, strip or web; but in'the event thatthe weight 46 is permitted to drop, said block,4 8 will be I projected within thepath'ofsaid ,pin,50vand thus prevent the operative. engagement of said gripperflnember andlthe feeding of the, web when nersf l e t .,d s1, ism-po it n; wi h; rel t f ci the presse Ina:ha is xr, Th pecifie stri' for; web feedin mechanism above d w r s thereto, may be substituted therefor without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The presser bar or rod 28 has extending longitudinally therethrough, a small duct 51 by means of which a suction may be applied to the paper web while the disk is being cut therefrom and to the disk after it has been so cut, so to prevent such a displacement of the disk as will prevent its being applied perfectly flat to the cork or other resilient disk. Surmounting the rod or bar 28 is a cup 52 operating within which is a pump plunger 53 which is supported in a fixed relation in the frame of the machine by a bracket 54. The cup 52 being mounted upon A and movable with the rod or bar 28 and con nected with the interior thereof through the short duct 55, it will be observed that with the downward movement of said bar there will be a substantial reduction of the pressure in the cup 52 and duct 51 and that with the reversal of this movement, there will be a corresponding increase of pressure thus tending to avoid displacement of the disk upon the return movement of the rod or bar 28. In the form of the invention shown, the plunger 53 is so set with relation to the cup 52 that at the end of the stroke of the rod or bar 28, said plunger will pass from said cup and thus admit air thereto. The cup 52 may be so proportioned, if desired, as to admit air thereto substantially simultaneously with the application of the facing disk to the cork, or other resilient disk, so as to increase the effective pressure upon the return stroke thereof.

After the tongue bar 11 has fed a disk below the die part 33, it is essential to secure substantial accuracy in the centering of the cap, or the cork or other disk, with relation to the opening in said die member in order to have the disk applied to the area of said cork. or other disk, which has been previously dampened by the pad 18. In the form of the invention shown, this means for centering the cork, or other disk, is so constructed as to be applicable to a machine for applying the facing disk after the cork or other disk has been assembled in the metal cap. It comprises an annular wedge 56 carred by a ring 57 mounted in the lower face of the die part 33. Carried by said rim 57 are a pluralityof rods 58, a head ring 59 being provided for all of said rods 58.

-Mounted upon the rod or bar 28 is a collar 60 adapted to engage the end of the several rods 58 and impart a reciprocatory movement to the wedge 56 just prior to the application of the facing disk to the cork or other disk. By this construction, clearance beneath the ring 56 for the feeding of successive caps is provided and the ring 56 and rod or bar 28 and the facing disk carried thereby will have simultaneous movement,

low the opening of the die part 33, the sur' face of the cap engaging said anvil being convex, and it being impossible to provide upon said anvil, supports extending longitudinally of the track or runway 10 for the edges of said cap. To impart the desired stability to the cap, I provide the lower face of the die part 33 outside of the ring 56 with fixed abutments 62 which will engage the top of the out-turned rim of the cap and prevent any oscillatory movement in a direction longitudinally of the track or runway 10. The anvil 61 may be supported from the track 10, or from any other adjacent portion of the machine frame.

To avoid movement of the strip or web A resulting from a drag thereupon while the disk is being cut therefrom, I mount a clamp member 63 upon a rod 6 1 slidably mounted in the slide 29, a spring 65 being seated between said clamp member and said slide in a manner to give the desired cushioning effect when the clamp member is pressed against the track 45 while developing sufficient pressure to secure the desired operative effect upon the strip or web.

The rod 64 may be adjusted with relation to the slide 29 and the plunger 53 may be adj usted with relation to its supporting bracket 54 to facilitate accuracy in the assembling of the machine or in the adjustment thereof 105 to secure the desired operative conditions.

I have found it preferable to use a facing disk, the diameter of which is substantially less than that of the cork or other resilient disk, since I have found that a better sealing of the neck of the bottle is secured when the top of the bottle seats directly upon the corkor other resilient disk. By better scaling I refer not to greater permanency in, any particular case, but to greater uniformity in the effectiveness of the seals in a large number of cases, for, to use the trade expression, the percentage of leakers has been materia-lly reduced where this type of facing has been used. With the smaller facing disk, however, I have encountered difficulties in the mechanism for applying these disks, due to the necessity for having the disk positioned with sufficient accuracy in relation to the setting of the cork or other disk to avoid possibility of a portion of the facing disk engaging the top of the bottle in a manner tated the incorporation in a machine made in accordance with my invention and adapted especially to apply these smaller disks, of means for preventing such movement of the facing disk. I

In the form of, the invention shown, I prevent this shifting by forcing small portions of the facing disk, at theedge thereof, into the body of the cork. or other disk,

sufficiently to prevent movement of the disk in relation to the cork, without. however, cutting or mutilating the cork or other disk in any way. I also provide means whereby while the facing disk is held in position. by being forced into the body of the cork slightly, it will be subjected to a continuing pressure sufiicient to permit the binding medium to set enough to permit the withdrawal of the presser rod or bar and the subsequent application to the facing disk of further pressure for insuring permanency in the -bond between the two disks.

thereof an edged prong 67 coinciding with the outer surface of the said plunger. The bar 28 is hollow from end to end and slidably mounted therein is a stem' 68 through -69 the edge of which is provided with a plurality of slots to accommodate the arms 66.

' head.

The rod or bar 28 is provided with a stop shoulder 7 0 co-operating with aflanged head 71 upon the inner end of the stem 68 in a manner to limit the outward movement of the platen head 69 under the control of the spring 72 seated within the upper portion of the rod or bar 28 and acting against a plug '73 within said rod or bar. To permit the setting of the platen head with relation to the arm 66, the flanged head -7-1 is adjustably mounted upon the stem 68 and the plug 73 is adjustably mounted in the rod or arm 28 so that the pressure exerted upon the said platen upon the facing disk may be regulated. The plug 73 has an opening longitudinally therethrough of substantially the same diameter as the duct 51 so as to permit the application of the required suction to the center of the platen head 69. \Vhen the device is assembled. the head 69 will be spaced away from the portion of the rod or har'28 between the arms 66 sufliciently to permit the required movement of the said From the foregoing it will be observed that in a machine made in accordance with my inventionas shown in the accompanying drawings, the reciprocatory presser bar 'the facing disk while pressure is being applied thereto, said prongs upon the reversal of the movement of the pressure rod or bar being. dlsengaged from the said facing disk while the platen is still in engagement there with.

I have found the above characteristics to be important where a facing disk of a diameter less than that of the cork or other resilient disk, is used and where it is necessary to apply the facing disk to the cork or other disk while the gum thereon is drying; since a certain dwell is essential in order to permit the damping medium to act upon this gum in a manner to make! the gum adhesive and permit it to set sufficiently to hold the facing disk with the necessary permanency to permit subsequent treatment of the faced disk.

Receiving the caps from the track or runway 10 is a rotary table 75 having adjacent the edge thereof a sequence of spring clamps '76 adapted to be controlled by a cam 76* so that as each cap containing the facing disk is delivered to said table, it will he received by one of said clamps and be subjected to a continuing pressure therefrom during the greater portion of one rotation of said table. This table is substantially like that used in the ordinary assembling machine for bottle caps and a detailed description thereof is therefore unnecessary. The sole function of the spring clamps upon said table, in connection with the machine made in accordance with my invention, is to insure a sufiieient dwell after the application of the facing disk to the cork or other disk, to permit the setting of the adhesive or binding medium prior to the delivery of the finished article. This binding medium will set readily at normal temperatures, although if desired heat at a low temperature may be applied to the table to expedite the evaporation of the damping medium. I have, however, found it desirable to have said binding medium set under pressure in order to secure the desired intimacy of the bond and to cause the facing strip to be perfectly flat.

In connection with the table 75 I provide an ordinary collecting belt 77 for the purpose of facilitating the inspection of the finished article.

The waste of the strip or web A is merely allowed to run from the machine and may be collected in any desired receptacle.

The strip A may be made of any desired material, one side thereof being water proof,

gas impervious and acid resisting. while the' ent disk and interfering with the sealing of the bottle, and sufficiently pliable or flexible to permit it to yield readily with the cork or other disk. If the material of the disk does not possess inherent properties to make it non-absorbent, gas-impervious and acid resisting, it may be treated in any desired manner to impart to its these properties. It will be readily observed that the strip or Web Amust be dry when the disks are cut therefrom, since the application of a wet adhesive to the surface thereof prior to the cutting of the disks therefrom would not only interfere with the shearing action but would foul the cutting mechanism so rapidly as to make the machine impracticable.

The operation of the herein described machine is substantially as follows.

A' machine made in accordance with my invention is designed merely to place a protecting facing disk upon a cork or other resilient disk, entering into the structure of a closure cap for bottles and is not adapted to assemble the cork or other disk with the metal part of the cap, whether the facing disk be applied to the cork or other disk before or after it has been assembled in the completed article. The machine of my invention might be associated with an assembling machine so as to produce a cap having a protecting facing but the variance in time required to assemble the cap, and to apply the protecting facing thereto is such as to ordinarily make it desirable to operate these two types of machine entirely independently of each other.

In the form of the invention shown the protecting facing disk is applied after the cork or other resilient disk has been assembled with the metal part of the cap, and the details of the machine are so constructed as to adapt the machine to the handling of the assembled caps.

The caps to be faced are successively delivered at the desired rapidity by the delivery mechanism to the intermittently operative feeding mechanism 11, by which they advance with a step by step movement toward the damping and the presser mechanism. During the dwell of the caps between their feeding movements, the tank 16 and the rod or bar 28 are simultaneously forced downwardly into the operative relation with certain of the caps, this movement applying the facing disk to one cap, and damping the cork or other resilient disk, of a succeeding cap so as to condition it to receive the facing disk upon a subsequent operation of the machine. Since the several operations of the dampening of the cork or other resilient disk, the strip from which the facing disks are cut, and cutting and applying the disk are substantially simultaneous, I will, to avoid confusion in the description, describe each operation. separately.

As to the damping mechanism, since the pad 18 retards the flow of the damping medium, it is necessary to secure the desired damping effect upon the cork or other disk by applying said pad 18 to the disk with suflicient pressure to force the damping medium in the desired volume through said pad. As the tank 16 and its appurtenances descend, the pad 18 will contact with the cork or other disk, and with a subsequent and continuing movement of the said tank, the spring 19 will yield under the pressure sufficiently to permit the head 21 to move toward the bottom of the tank and thus tend to force the damping medium contained in said head and in the opening through the nozzle 17, into and through the pad 18 in a manner to deposit a thin film of the medium upon the surface of the cork or other disk. With the reversal of the movement of the said tank, however, the pad will remain in contact with the cork or other disk and as the tank recedes the head 21 will have the two-fold effect of instantly retarding the flow of the damping medium toward the pad, and of drawing a fresh sup-ply of the said medium within the head 19 from the tank 16. The forced feed of the damping medium after the application of the pad 18 to the cork or other disk, will cause the greatest volume of the damping medium to be adjacent the center of the pad 18 and the dwell of this pad during the first part of the return movement of the tank, will have the effect of equalizing the quantity of the damping fluid throughout the entire area to which it is applied, and limiting this quantity t a thin film.

The damping medium used may vary as to its composition according to the composition of the gum used upon the strip or web A from which the facing disks are cut, or if composition disks are used instead of out cork disks, with the character of the binder as.

well as the gum, so as to ensure any desired chemical reaction which will facilitate the quick adhesion of the facing disk to the cork or other disk and permanency of the bond between the two.-

While a short track or runway 10 may be employed, I preferably space the damping mechanism sufficiently in advance of the presser mechanism to ensure the portion of the cork or other disk having the damping medium thereon being in a condition to receive the previously gummed facing disk as it approaches the presser mechanism.

As each cap is fed in relation to the damping mechanism, it passes under the guard plate 27 and is held thereby in a fixed relation to the pad 18.

After leaving the damping mechanism, the caps are successively fed in relation to the presser mechanism, being brought to rest below the opening in the die part- 33, and

upon the anvil 61. As each cap a preaches the die, the ring 56 is in its upwar position so as to leave the proper clearance, and the upper rim of the metal part of the cap engages the projections 62 at diametrically opposite points thereof in the direction of the longitudinal movement of the cap, thus holding the cap firmly in place.

As each cap comes to place the carriage 36 is reciprocated, the gripper 37 thereon engaging the strip or web A which has the gummed surface thereof presented downwardly towards the said die part 33, and feeds said strip or web to an extent required to cut one disk therefrom. Upon the reversal of the movement of the carriage 36, the check spring 40 will prevent a return movement of the strip or web. In the event that at any time a cap is not fed beneath the said die part, the tongue 46 upon the weight 47 will meet no resistance, thus causing said weight to rock the lever 45 and force the block 48 into operative engagement with the pin 50 upon the gripper 37 ina manner to prevent said gripper feeding. the strip or Web. I

During the first stages of the descent of the rod or bar the platen 69 and the arms 66 will act as a punch co-operating with the die part 33 to cut a disk from the strip or webs A. With the downward movement of said rod or bar the cup 52 will be moved in relation to the plunger 53 in a manner to develop a suction through the duct 51 upon the strip, thus holding the cut disk flat against the face of the said rod or bar: and this suction will continue during the entire downward stroke of the said rod or bar.

Vith a continued downward movement of the rod or bar 28, the collar 60 will engage the ends of'the spring pressed rods 58 and force the ring 57 downwardly forcing the wedge 56 within the metal portion of the cap. which will center the cap with relation to the rod or bar 28 and will remain in this position until the facing disk has been applied to the cork or other disk, and prevent movement of the cap in relation to the rod or bar during this interval.

As the rod or bar 28 approaches the limit .of its downward stroke, the platen 69 will force the facing disk, under a yielding pressure, upon the previously dampened portion of the cork or other disk. thus compensating for any variance in the thickness of. thecork or other disk, limiting the pressure applied thereto, and permitting a dwell of the disk under pressure sufiicient to ensure a temporary bond between the facing disk and the corkor other disk. As the platen 69 recedes against the tension of its spring 7 2, the prongs 67 will force divergent portions of the edge of the facing disk into the material of the cork, or other, disk in a manner to secure a firm bond at those points and thus not only ensure accuracy in the centering of the facing disk, but sufficient permanency in the bond to avoid slippage of the facing disk in relation to the cork or other disk. \Vitli the reversal of the movement of the rod or bar 28. the prongs 67 will be disengaged or withdrawn from the material of the cork, or other, disk while the platen 69 continues -to apply pressure to the facing disk in a manner to prevent any possible displace, ment, thereof. lVith this upward movement, the pressure in the cup 52 will be raised above atmosphere in a manner to serve somewhat as an injector for ensuring a clean separation of the platen 69 from the facing disk. It is apparent that by adjustment of the plug 73 the pressure exerted by the platen 69 may be regulated. The shoulder 70 and the plunger head 71 upon the stem 68 limit the outward position of the platen 69 and by adjusting said plunger head 71. the relative position of the platen 69 and the arms 66 may be regulated.

As the rod or bar 28 moves upwardly, the ring 60 will be disengaged from the spring pressed rods 58 permitting the ring 57 to recede within the lower face of the die part 33 and afford clearance for the subsequent feeding movement of the caps.

As the slide 29 descends. the clamp 63 will yieldingly engage the strip or web A in a manner to check any tendency of the strip to drag while the facing disk is being cut therefrom.

After leaving the presser mechanism, the cap is delivered to one of the spring clamps '76 carried by the table 75, which clamp will close upon the cap in a manner to apply a continuing pressure thereupon until the table 75 has turned to a point where the cap will be discharged upon the collecting belt- 77. The table 75 neednot be subjected to heat to secure the desired bond between the facing disk and the cork or other disk, it being merely required that the facing disk be subjected to a continuing pressure after its application to thecork or other disk, to secure the desired permanency of the bond between the two disks. If desired heat at a low temperature may be applied to the said table. solely for the purpose of drying out the damping medium, however.

The operations above described are either simultaneous or in such rapid sequence, as to be practically simultaneous, as the machine is operated at a fairlv high speed. The feeding movement is alternated with the operations incidental to the application of the facing disk to the cork orother disk.

It is not my intention to limit the invention to the details of construction shown in the drawings or to the particular mechanical movements by which the dampening and presser mechanism are actuated. The machine shown in the drawings is adapted to handle previously assembled caps, but it is apparent that to adapt the maclnne to handling the cork or other disks, before assemvbling; them with the metal portion of the cap, would require merely the modification of the feeding and holding mechanisms for the disks and would not involve any substantial variance in the. functions of the machine.

Ilaving described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to have protected by Letters Patent is:-

l. machine for making bottle caps embod \'ing therein means adapted to apply a damping medimn to a portion of the area of a resilient diskfor a bottle cap. and means for applying previously gummed facing material to the portion of the disk to which said damping medium is applied.

2. A machine for making bottle caps embodying therein means adapted to apply a damping medium to a portion of the area of a resilient disk for a bottle cap, means for cutting a disk of facing material from a previously gummed strip, and applying said disk to the dampened portion of said other disk, and feeding means for said strip.

3. A machine for making bottle caps embodying therein means for applying a damping medium to the central portion of one side of a resilient disk for a bottle cap, means for cutting a facing disk of substantially the same area as the dampened portion of said resilient disk from a previously gummed strip and for applying said facing disk to said resilient disk, and feeding means for said strip.

4. A machine for making bottle caps cmbodying therein means for applying a damping medium to the central portion of one side of a resilient disk fora bottle cap, means for cutting a facing disk of substantially the same area as the dampened portion of said resilient disk from a previously gummed strip, said means embodying therein a platen adapted to press said facing disk into engagement with the resilient disk and means adapted tojiress portions of the edge of said facing disk into the body of said resilient disk whereby displacement of said facing disk upon the withdrawal of said platen therefrom is prevented and feeding means for said strip.

5. A machine for making bottle caps embodying therein means adapted to apply a damping medium to a resilient disk for a bottle cap, means for applying previously gummed facing material to the portion of the disk to which said damping medium is applied, and means subjecting said facing disk to a continuing pressure after it has been applied to said resilient disk.

6. A machine for making bottle caps embodying therein means adapted to apply a damping medium to a resilient disk for 9.

bottle cap, means for cutting a disk of facing material from a previously gummed strip, and applying said disk to the dampened portion of said resilient, disk, feeding means for said strip or web and means subjecting said facing disk to a continuing pressure after it has been applied to said resilient disk.

7. A machine for making bottle caps embodying therein means for applying a damping medium to the central portion of one side of a resilient disk for a bottle cap, means for cutting .a facing disk of substantially the same area as the dampened portion of said resilient disk from a previously gummed strip and for applying said facing disk to said resilient disk, feeding means for said strip, and means subjecting said facing disk to a continuing pressure after it has been applied to said resilient disk.

8. A machine for making bottle caps embodying therein means for applying a damping medium to the central portion of one side of a resilient disk for a bottle cap, means for cutting a facing disk of substantially the same area as the dampened portion of said resilient disk from a previously gummed strip, said means embodying therein a platen adapted to press said facing disk into engagement with the resilient disk and means adapted to press portions of the edge of said facing disk into the body of said resilient disk whereby displacement of said facing disk upon the withdrawal of said platen therefrom is prevented, feeding means for said strip, and means subjecting said facing disk to a continuing pressure after it has been applied to said resilient disk.

9. A machine for making bottle caps embodying therein means adapted to apply a damping medium to a resilient disk for a bottle cap, means for applying previously gummed facing material to the portion of the disk to which said damping medium is applied and means whereby air under pressure is applied to said facing disk as said last named means recedes thcrefrom. 10. A machine for making bottle caps em bodying therein means adapted to apply a damping medium to a resilient disk for a bottle cap, means for cutting a disk of facing material from a previously gummed strip and applying said-disk to the dampened portion ofcsaid resilient disk, means whereby a continuing suction is applied to said facing disk after it is cut from said strip and until it is applied to the resilient disk, and feeding means for said strip.

11. A machine for making bottle caps embodying therein means adapted to apply a damping medium to a resilient disk for a bottle cap, means for cutting a disk of facing material from a previously gummed will strip, and applying said disk to the dampened portion of said resilient disk, an air pump co-operating with said last named means whereby the facing disk will be held by suction in a fixed relation to said means until it has been applied to said resilient disk and air under pressure will be applied to said facing disk as said last named means recedes, and feeding means for said strip.

12. A machine for making bottle caps embodying therein a reciprocatory damping mechanism adapted to apply a damping medium to the surface of the resilient disk for a bottle cap, a reciprocatory presser mechanism, means whereby previously gummed facing material is fed in relation to said presser mechanism, and means whereby the resilient disk is brought successively into the operative relation to said damping and said presser mechanisms.

13. A machine for making bottle caps em bodying therein a reciprocatory damping mechanism adapted toapply a damping medium to the surface of a resilient disk for a bottle cap, a reciprocatory presser mechanism, means whereby facing material is fed in relation to said presser mechanism, and means whereby the resilient disk is brought successively into the operative relation to said damping and said presser mechanisms, and means'whereby said facing material is subjected to a'continuing pressure after leaving said presser mechanism.

14. A machine for making bottle caps embodying therein a reciprocatory damping mechanism, a reciprocatory presser mechanism, intermittently operative means simultaneously actuating said damping and said presser mechanisms whereby said damping mechanism will apply a damping medium to the surface of a resilient disk for a bottle cap and said presser mechanism simultaneously apply previously gummed facing material to a previously dampened resilient disk, means whereby .facing material is fed in relation to said presser mechanism and intermittently operative means whereby a sequence of resilient disks are successively brought into operative relation to said damping and said presser mechanisms.

15. A machine for making bottle caps embodying therein a reciprocatory damping mechanism, .a reciprocatory presser mechanism, intermittently operative means simultaneously actuating said damping and said presser mechanisms, whereby said damping mechanism will'apply a damping medium to the surface of a resilient disk for a bottle cap and said presser mechanism will simultaneously apply facing material to a prevlously dampened resilient disk, means whereby facing material isfed in relation to said presser mechanism, intermittently operativemeans whereby a sequence of resilient disks are successively brought into operative relation to said damping and said presser mechanisms and means whereby said resilient disks and the facing material thereon are subjected to a continuing pressure after they leave said presser mechanism.

16. A machine for making bottle caps embodying therein a reciprocatory damping mechanism embodying therein a yieldable nozzle adapted to apply a damping medium to the surface of a resilient disk for a bottle cap, means having a normal tendency to thrust said nozzle toward the resilient disk whereby said nozzle remains in engagement withsaid resilient disk for a suflicient period to ensure uniform application of the damping medium thereto, a reciprocatory presser mechanism, means whereby facing material is fed in relation to said presser mechanism, and means whereby said facing material is subjected to a continuing pressure after leaving said presser mechanism.

17. A machine for making bottle caps embodying therein a reciprocatory damping mechanism embodying therein a yieldable nozzle, an absorbent pad carried by said nozzle, a container for the damping medium, co-operating means carried by said container and said nozzle whereby the damping fluid will be forced into said pad upon the engagement of the pad with a resilient disk, and means having a normal tendency to thrust said nozzle toward said resilient disk whereby said pad remains in engagement with the resilient disk for a suflicient period to ensure uniform application of a damping medium thereto and the flow of the damping medium toward the end of the interval during which said pad is in engagement with said resilient disk will be checked, a reciprocatory presser mechanism, means whereby facing material is fed in relation to said presser mechanism, and means whereby the resilient disk is brought successively into the operative relation to said damping and said presser mechanisms.

18. A machine for making bottle caps embodying therein a reciprocatory damping mechanism embodying therein a container for the damping medium having a subchamber into which said medium flows, from said container through a constricted opening, a nozzle having a cup-like head in said sub-chamber, an absorbent pad carried by the lower end of said nozzle and a spring having a normal tendency to thrust said nozzle away from said container whereby said pad remains'in engagement with a resilient disk'for a suificient period to ensure uniform application of a damping medium thereto and the flow of the dampin medium toward the end of the interval during which said pad is in engagement with said resilient disk will be checked, a reciprocatory presser mechanism, means whereby facing material is fed in relation to said presser mechanism, and means whereby the resilient disk is brought successively into the operative relation to said damping and said presser mechanisms.

19. A machine for making bottle caps emtherein a reciprocatory damping bodying for applying a damping medium mechanism to the central portion of one side of a resilient disk for a bottle cap, means for ap plying a previously gummed facing disk of substantially the same area as the dampened portion of said resilient disk thereto embodying therein a reciprocatory presser bar having a plurality of prongs about the edge thereof adapted to force the edge of said facing disk into said resilient disk, means whereby said facing disk is delivered into the operative relation to said presser bar and means whereby the resilient disk is brought successively into the operative relation to said damping and said presser mechanisms.

20. A machine for making bottle caps embodying therein a reciprocatory damping mechanism for applying a damping medium to the central portion of one side of a resilient disk for a bottle cap, means for applying a previously gummed facing disk of substantially the same area as the dampened portion of said resilient disk thereto, embodys ing therein a reciprocatory presser bar having a plurality of prongs about the edge thereof adapted to force the ed e of said facing disk into said resilient disk, a platen and means whereby said prongs may be disengaged from said disks while said platen remains in engagement therewith, means whereby said facing disks are delivered into the operative relation to said presser bar and means whereby the resilient disk is brought successively into the operative relation to said damping and said presser mechanisms.

21. A machine for making bottle caps embodying therein a reciprocatory damping mechanism adapted to apply a dampin medium to the surface of a resilient dis: for a bottle cap, a reciprocatory presser mechanism. means whereby previously gummed facing material is fed in relation to said presser mechanism, means whereby said presser mechanism is held in engagement with sail facing material after its application to the resilient disk for an interval to ensure the moistening of the gum on, and the adhesion of, said material to said resilient disk, and means whereby the resilient disk is brought successively into the operative relation to said damping and said presser mechanisms.

22. A machine for making bottle caps embodying therein a reciprocatory damping mechanism for applying a damping medium to the central portion of one side of a re-v silient disk for a bottle cap, means for applying a previously gummed facing disk of substantially the same area as the dampened portion of said resilient disk thereto, embodying therein a reciprocatory presser bar having a plurality of prongs about the edge thereof adapted to force the edge of said facing disk into said resilient disk, a platen slidably mounted therein adjacent said prongs a spring having a normal tendency to thrust said platen axially of said bar beyond said prongs and a stop llmlting the outward movement of said platen, whereby said platen will force said facing disk into engagement with said resilient disk and subject it to a continuing pressure while said prongs force edge portions of the facing disk into the resilient disk and are withdrawn therefrom, means whereby a faclng disk is delivered into the operative relation to said presser bar and means whereby the resilient disk is brought successively into the operative relation to said damping and said presser mechanisms.

23. A machine for making bottle caps embodying therein a reciprocatory damping mechanism for applying a damping medlum to the central portion of one side of a resilient disk for a bottle cap, means for applying a previously gummed facing disk of substantially the same area as the dampened portion of said resilient disk thereto, embodying therein a reciprocatory presser bar having a plurality of prongs about the edge thereof adapted to force the edge of said facing disk into said resilient disk, a platen I slidably mounted therem adjacent said prongs a spring having a normal tendency to thrust said platen axially of said bar beyond said prongs, a stop limiting the outward movement of said platen, whereby said platen will force said facing disk into engagement with said resilient disk and subject it to a continuing pressure while said prongs force edge portions of the facing silient disk for a bottle cap, a presser mech 1 anism for applying a previously gummed facing disk of substantially the same area as the dampened portion of said resilient disk thereto embodying therein a reciprocatory presser bar having a plurality of prongs 1 disk, a platen slidably mounted therein adjacent said prongs, a spring having a normal tendency to thrust said platen axially of said bar beyond said prongs, a stop limiting the outward movement of said platen whereby said platen will force said facing disk into engagement with said resilient disk' and subject it\to a continuing pressure while said prongs force edge portions of the facing disk into the resilient disk and are withdrawn therefrom, and means for holding the facing disk against said platen and facilltating the withdrawal of said platen from said facing disk after its application to the resilient disk comprising a cylinder carried by and movable with said presser bar, and a fixed piston co-operating therewith, said presser bar and said platen bein provided with a duct opening into said cy inder and outwardl of said platen, means whereby a facing disk is delivered into the operative relation to said presser bar and means whereby the resilient disk is brought successively into the operative relation to said damping mechanism and said presser mechanism.

25. A machine for making bottle caps embodying therein means adapted to apply a damping medium to a resilient diskfor a bottle cap, a presser mechanism for applying a previously gummed facing disc thereto and means whereby said resilient disk is centered relativel to said presser mechanism.

26. A machine for making bottle caps embodying therein a reciprocatory damping mechanism for applying a damping medium to the central portion of one side of a resilient disk for a bottle cap, means for applying a previously gummed facing disk of substantially the same area as the dampened portion of said resilient disk thereto embodying therein a reciprocatory presser bar having a pluralit of prongs about the edge thereof adapte to force the edge of said facing disk into said resilient disk, means whereby a facing disk is delivered into operative relation to said presser bar, means whereby the resilient disk is brought successively into the operative relation to said damping and said presser mechanisms and means whereby said resilient disk is centered relatively to said presser mechanism.

27 A machine for making bottle caps embodying therein a reciprocatory dam ing mechamsm for applying a damping me ium to the central portion of one side of a resilient disk for a bottle cap, means for apply- Y ing a previously gummed facing disk of tantially the same area as the dampened portion of said resilient disk thereto, embodying therein a reciprocato presser bar having a luralityof'prongs a out the edge thereof adapted to force the edge of said facing disk into said resilient disk, means-- whereby facing disk is delivered into the operative relation to said presser bar, means whereby said resilient disk is centered relatively to said presser mechanism comprising a reciprocatory wedge encircling said presser bar, springs normally raising said wedge and means carried 'by said presser bar whereby said wedge will be forced into. engagement with the metal portion of a bottle ca having a resilient disk therein prior to t e engagement of the facing disk with said resilient disk and means whereby bottle caps having resilient disks therein are brought successively into the operative relation to said presser mechanism and a centering wedge.

28. -A machine for making bottle caps embodying therein a reciprocatory damping mechanism for applying a damping medium to the central portion of one side of a resilient disk for a bottle cap, means for applying a previously gummed facing disk of substantially the same area as the dampened portion of said resilient disk thereto embodying therein a reciprocatory presser bar havlng a plurality of prongs about the edge thereof adapted to force the edge of said facing disk into said resilient disk, means whereby a facing disk is delivered into the operative relation to said presser bar, and means whereby said facing material is subjected to a continuing pressure after leaving said presser mechanism.

29. A'machine for making bottle caps embodying therein a reciprocatory damping mechanism adapted to 4 apply a damping medium to the surface of a resilient disk for a bottle cap, a reciprocatory presser mechanism, means whereby previously gummed facing material is fed in relation to said presser mechanism, means whereby said presser mechanism is held in engagement with said facing material after its application to the resilient disk for an interval to ensure the moistening of the gum on, and the adhesion of, said material to said resilient disk, and means whereby said facing material is subjected to a continuing pressure after leaving said presser mechanism.

30. A machine for making bottle caps embodying therein a reciprocatory damping mechanism for pplying a damping medium tothe central portion of one side of a rewhereby said resilient dis is centered relatively to said presser mechanism comprising a reciprocatory wedge encircling said presser bar, springs normally raising said wedge, means carried by said presser bar whereby said wedge will be forced into engagement with the metal portion of a bottle cap having a resilient disk therein prior to the engagement of the facing disk with said resilient disk, means whereby bottle caps having the resilient disks therein are brought successivelyinto the operative relation to said presser mechanism and a centering wedge, a support for the bottle cap axially below said presser bar and means adjacent said wedge adapted to engage the rim of said cap whereby movement of said cap is prevented while said facing disk is being delivered thereto.

31. A machine for making bottle caps embodying therein a reciprocatory damping mechanism for applying a damping medium to the central portionof one side of a resilient disk for a bottle cap, a reciproczitory presser bar having a plurality of prongsv about the edge thereof, a platen slidably mounted in relation to said bar adjacent said prongs, a spring having a normal tendency to thrust sait platen axially of said bar beyond said prongs, a stop limiting the outward movement of said platen, a die part having an opening therein adapted to cooperate with the edge of said platen and said prongs in cutting a disk of substantially the same area as the dampened portion of said resilient disk from a previously gummed strip whereby a facing disk will be forced by said platen into engagement with said resilient disk and be subjected to a continuing pressure while said prongs force edge portions of said facing disk into the resilient disk and are withdrawn therefrom, means feeding said strip relatively to said die part and said bar, and means whereby to thrust said platen axially of said bar beyond said prongs, a stop limiting the outward movement of said platen, a die part having an opening therein adapted to cooperate with the edge of said platen and said prongs in cutting a disk of substantially the same area as the dampened portion of said resilient disk from a previously gummed strip whereby a facing disk will be forced by said platen into engagement with said resilient disk and be subjected to a continuing pressure while said prongs force edge portions of said facing disk into the resilient disk and are withdrawn therefrom, means feeding said strip relatively to said die part and said bar, means whereby the resilient disk is brought successively into the operative relation to said damping mechanism below said die part, means whereby the feeding of said strip will be prevented in the event of the failure of said last named means to bring a resilient disk into the operative relation to said die part and said bar. In witness whereof, Ihereunto afiix my signature in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 13th day of April, 1916.

CHARLES E. MoMANUS. 

